BLOG-L FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there archives of previously posted messages to the list?
A: BLOG-L has recently moved from its previous hosting service. The archives from that host may be available soon, but aren’t yet. Current archives will be available here.

Q: Who owns BLOG-L?
A: Pat Gundry, a blogging enthusiast.

Q: How do I find out who is subscribed to BLOG-L?
A: The subscriber list is available only to the list owner in order to protect subscribers from having their email addresses harvested for spamming purposes.

Q: What is “spamming?”
A: Spamming is the practice of sending SPAM, the term used to refer to unrequested email messages, usually trying to sell something. The term SPAM derives from a Monty Python episode in which an eatery offers nothing on the menu except Spam, repeated over and over.

Q: The list rules forbid flaming. What’s that?
A: Flaming is making derogatory or insulting comments about another subscriber or their messages.

Q: Who do I email if I need help with the list?
A: Pat Gundry at Contact

Q: What is a “Newbie”?
A: Someone who is new to blogging, or new online.

Q: What is “Topic of The Week”? And how do I suggest one?
A: Topic of the Week, sometimes indicated by the letters TW is a subject introduced by the list manager/owner for discussion as a special focus on a particular area. It is meant to add to the discussion options, not substitute for discussing any other subject. You may send suggestions for topics to the list manager, Pat Gundry at suitcase@mich.com at any time. Topic of The Week is not necessarily a weekly occurrence, but a device to add an additional dimension to BLOG-L from time to time.

Q: What is Promo Day?
A: On the first of each month, and those days only, subscribers may post brief to middlesized promotional messages about their services and or products. Each subscriber can post once in each four month period, not once every month. Usually a reminder message will be posted to the list a day or two before Promo Day each month.

Q: What does “DRIB” mean?
A: Don’t Read If Busy. The term, in common use on email discussion lists now, originated with PUBLISH-L subscriber Lorilyn Bailey, who first used it to indicate, in the subject line of a message, something that is not really pertinent to the business aspects of the list, sort of an aside, or item of general interest that is off the main purpose and topic of the list.

Q: Is BLOG-L a moderated list?
A: No. On a moderated list all messages are read and approved by a moderator before being posted to other subscribers. BLOG-L is a managed list. In the case of BLOG-L that means someone oversees the list, answers questions, and enforces the rules.

Q: When should one introduce one’s self on BLOG-L?
A: On many lists it’s customary to introduce yourself every year on your birthday. But introductions are OK any time.

Q: Why can’t I post messages to the list? I’m receiving messages, but when I try to send one to the list I get a message telling me I’m not subscribed.
A: Usually it’s because you are receiving messages from one email address (the one BLOG-L software recognizes) and attempting to post a message from another email address (which BLOG-L software doesn’t recognize). This can happen for the following reasons:

1. Your ISP has changed your email address without you realizing it, and is forwarding your email from the previous one to the new one.
2. Someone in your household or business has changed your email address and you didn’t know, or forgot about it, and your email is being forwarded from the previous one to the new one.
3. You subscribed from your website email address, which is automatically forwarded to another email address.

The solution is to either be sure to use the one you are subscribed under, or unsubscribe to the one you don’t want to use and resubscribe to the one you do want to use.

Q: I have moved my email account and can’t unsubscribe from the old email address because the list software won’t let me.
A: This is a job for the list manager to do for you. Email Pat Gundry at Contact and ask her to switch subscriptions for you. Include the old address, if you know it, and the new one in your message.

Q: I suddenly stopped getting messages from BLOG-L but I didn’t unsubscribe. What happened?
A: Your server was probably down for a significant time, or your mailbox was full and your messages were bouncing back to BLOG-L’s managing software long enough for it to automatically unsubscribe you. You will need to re-subscribe to BLOG-L to get messages again. But you can go to the list’s archives to read any you missed.